This publication highlights the relationship between the status of reptiles and amphibians, the ecosystem to which they belong, and the biophysical and socio-economic factors threatening their survival. In addition, this publication provides access to scientific understanding of the functions, problems and management practices proposed for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.
The purpose of this booklet is to explore the relationship between wetlands and the hydrological cycle.It gives details of the hydrological components of wetlands, the extent to which different wetlands can regulate floods, sustain flows during dry periods and recharge groundwater.It indicates how these ecosystem functions can be interrupted or eliminated by human interference in the hydrology of wetlands. It concludes that sustainable water management is best achieved through judicious utilization of the natural functions of wetlands in conjunction with new technologies for controlling the hydrological cycle.
Brief Description Salinas are part of the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. Since time immemorial, salt production has been achieved through the natural evaporation of salt water from the sea, coastal or interior lagoons.There is a close analogy with agriculture: an activity based on the harvesting of natural resources, which has gradually evolved into a modern efficient industry, to facilitate collection by man.Salt production is widespread in the Mediterranean where […]
Brief Description Mediterranean temporary marshes are a unique habitat. In the Mediterranean climate, the rain which falls between autumn ad spring is the source of water.The wet period occurs when temperatures are relatively low, and the marshes dry out quickly in the hot, dry summers, the temporary nature of these marshes thus results from a combination of low precipitation and high evaporation which leads to low water levels in the […]
Brief Description In much of the Mediterranean area, where the climate is hot and dry, freshwater is in short supply and fish and humans are in competition for this scarce resource. Improved standards of living in most countries and a rise in human population have combined to make increasing demands on freshwater resources and have resulted in conflicting interests in available water.Because of such demands, fish in southern Europe where […]
Brief Description Emergent aquatic plants dominate the landscape of many Mediterranean wetlands: the cast reed beds of common reed in deltas and around the edges of freshwater lakes; huge stretches of glasswort on the limits of salt and brackish marshes. The purpose of this booklet is to provide an understanding of the ecological functioning of systems dominated by emergent aquatic plants.To draw together information necessary for decisions on the management […]